Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 July 2016
871. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the process in operation to co-ordinate the spacing of Irish applications for Horizon 2020 funding in order to maximise chances of success for Irish bids; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24197/16]
View answer872. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if steps are being taken to encourage Irish applications for Horizon 2020 funding to focus on areas in which Ireland has a competitive advantage on account of its geography, border or industry clustering; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24198/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 871 and 872 together.
Horizon 2020 is structured into two- and three-year work programmes. The first work programme spanned the years 2014-2015; the current work programme spans the years 2016-2017 and the final one will span 2018-2020. Each work programme is published at the start of the relevant period and sets out the detailed list and timing of calls for proposals that will be issued over the course of the two or three year period.
A National Support Network has been put in place to work with researchers and companies to identify opportunities in Horizon 2020 and to assist them in preparing proposals for funding. The Network is led by Enterprise Ireland, and is comprised of sectorial experts who are designated as National Contact Points for each of the sub-programmes within Horizon 2020. A number of these sectorial experts are based in other agencies and Government departments.
Thus, the national support network has considerable advance notice of upcoming opportunities for funding in Horizon 2020. Based on their in-depth knowledge of the sector, including familiarity with researchers with relevant expertise and innovative companies active in relevant markets, combined with information on the available budget for the calls and the likely success rate, along with historical performance, the National Contact Points are well placed to advise potential applicants on which calls they should apply to in order to maximise their chances of success.
The Strategic Research Proposals Group, which brings together Government Departments and State Agencies funding research, chaired by the Chief Scientific Advisor to the Government, is working with stakeholders to promote large proposals to programmes with significant funding available and for which Ireland has a strong competitive advantage.
In June I outlined the benefits of Horizon 2020 funding at a breakfast event organised by Enterprise Ireland and attended by multinational companies including Irish multinational companies. The heads of three of DJEI’s agencies, Julie Sinnamon, Chief Executive of Enterprise Ireland; Martin Shanahan, Chief Executive of IDA Ireland; Prof Mark Ferguson, Director General of Science Foundation Ireland and Chief Scientific Advisor to the Government, also spoke at the event to outline their support for participation in Horizon 2020.
